A Radio 4 Sunday Drama

A sunny Sunday afternoon was the perfect time, as I purred along the slow lane of the M4, to sink in to the lulling dramatisation of Paul Gallico's The Snow Goose on Radio 4. Congratulations to Michael Morpurgo for bringing this to our attention and for BBC on their gripping dramatisation. Was it a misty eye that caused me to blink, or just the wipers on my antiquated motorcar? Either way this heart-rending tale of love and heroism rescued motoroway from monotony.

As the story unfurled I pictured in my mind's eye Angela Barrett's wonderful illustrations on the wall's of our gallery, which added much to my enjoyment. The ensuing Open Book discussion and interviews which followed were lively with comment and anedotes from Mariella Frostrup, Michae Morpurgo and Elizabeth Jane Howard. Still to be found on BBC iplayer, I recommend an evening with the wireless by the fireside.

Now the dust has settled ...

Oddly enough there are parallels to be drawn between the recent eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland and the reception here for Brian Wildsmith, who reached the venerable age of 80 this year. Besides the outpouring of good wishes from a record crowd of attendees for Brian and his paintings, on show in Britain for the very first time, the guests were buoyed up by a pyroclastic flow of bubbly and erupted into a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday both in and outside the gallery bringing to a halt pedestrian travel on Bury St. Brian's ensuing heartfelt words gave testament to his fifty years with Oxford University Press whom he described as like family.

Subsequently marooned for some days on the rougher side of St James's he eventually forwent his flight back to the Mediterranean and sprang aboard the Eurostar to resume his self-styled 'hermetic life' in the south. We are sorry to see him go. His Yorkshire charm and good humour enchanted so many, as have his colourfully resonant paintings. We raise a glass and wish him a swift bon retour, less so his Nordic counterpart.

The devil makes work ...

In the words of the much-loved Mole,' Hang spring-cleaning'. In a move that can only be described as from the sublime to the ridiculous the wintry day of February were brushed aside in a fit of new-year enthusiasm for some predictive refurbishment. With renewed zeal I donned the ear muffs and mask, and roared in to action with an antiquated sanding machine more akin to my grandfather's petrol-fired lawn mower in an attempt to revitalise the elegant but tired parquet floor. Apart from nearly killing the patron it almost proved to be the sonic decimation of St James's, and after two days of what was later described a 'barking' enthusiasm I was gently persuaded to hand over to someone who knew what they were doing. The gallery is now re-sanded to perfection and re-painted to precision and awaits the many visitors we hope will attend our exciting array of exhibits and events in 2010. Earmuffs are entirely optional.

Cambridge School of Art Degree Show 2010

Cambridge School of Art MA Degree Show:

The Illustration Cupboard was delighted once again to host the impressive annual Master of Arts degree show for the students from Anglia Ruskin. This leading course headed by Martin Salisbury attracts applicants worldwide. This year's list was no less impressive with students from the far east, South America and all over Europe showing their degree portfolios at this hugely fascinating exhibition of new work. Thirty graduating MA students exhibited, and a buzzing evening reception was attended by the great and the good of British publishing. Our hearty congratulations to Nadia Shireen (work shown here) who had offers from a number of leading houses and has accepted a two book deal with Jonathan Cape. Watch this space ... you saw it here first!

14th Annual Winter Exhibition

Once again a busy year rotates full circle to our largest and most exciting time of the year. The winter exhibition is the most extensive collection of contemporary book illustration artwork in the world, and is always a highlight for so many of our loyal visitors.

This year's 14th such show kicked off to no less excitement than usual. A host of artists, collectors, publishers and well-wishers joined us to celebrate, and as the refreshing bubbles were quaffed amidst the excited chatter of old friends re-united a host of new pictures were celebrated. The best collection to date we are proud to show this work here in central London, all of which is featured our new catalogue for 2010 available at the gallery, and also previewed on our website at www.illustrationcupboard.com. The collection includes terrific new work by many of the world's finest illustrators, and we are also delighted to include for the first time graphic novel artwork and an ever increasing range of film animation artwork.

With a broad range of signed first edition books, special silk screens and original artwork on show there is truly something for everybody in this colourful and engaging collection. All signed books are sold at cover price, and original artwork starts at £150. Well worth a festive visit should you be visiting the bright lights of central London, and a warm welcome waits all during the yuletide season. For those tucked up with the dog next to a warm fire-side at home everything can be acquired via our website online purchasing facility and swift delivery service.

Above: Christopher Wormell with a keen collector admires the rare signed pictures of Where The Wild Things Are during our opening reception.

Tales of New York Times

It is always good news to hear of artists we work with scaling ever-increasing and dizzy heights of success, as such it was exciting to see that one of our favourites - Shaun Tan and his excellent Tales from Outer Suburbia has been nominated as one of this year's best illustrated books by The New York Times. This book and Shaun's artwork has caught the eye of many visitors to the gallery over recent months, both by those who are ardent devotees of his work but also those new to illustration.

Copies of this book are available here at the gallery, (£10.99) and we will be showing further work connected to this book at our 14th Annual Winter Exhibition which opens shortly on the 19th November. Artwork is availabe from £295 upwards.

http://www.nytimes.com/gift-guide/holiday-2009/20091108_best-illustrated_gg/list.html?ref=books

Drink and the Devil

Come and have a yarn with John. Although the words of the much-loved anti-hero and all-round ne'er-do-well Long John Silver the impressive turnout of family, friends and collectors on Tuesday night all boarded ship here on Bury St. to do exactly that. Not that we were huddle around the apple barrel. The amassed crew gently imbibed refreshing rum punch whilst Squire Lawrence heartily signed books and greeted old friends in a congenial atmosphere far from piratical. The shattering of a wine goblet may have heralded the onset of mutinous revolt however the fortuitous discovery of another crate of grog below decks swiftly allayed any such erstwhile activity, and order was restored without recourse to the local magistrate.

Described by one as the definite version of Treasure Island, John Lawrence's masterful handling of this great classic of British literature is none the less impressive than Stevenson's rollicking adventure yarn. John's work, as always, shows profound understanding of subject, a keen perception of spirit and masterful technical ability. The bloody and ultimately fatal struggle between the unremittingly evil Israel Hands and the Irishman in a brutal moment of piratical infighting is displayed in superb style. The struggling combatants, framed by the doorway of the cabin, lurch one way across the deck whilst the Hispaniola sways precariously to the other. In a scene of desperation, volatility and ferocity there is little mistake to be made from John's vivid depiction that this is no mere inebriated disagreement, but uncompromising and ghastly conflict to the death. The spirit of these illustrations is gripping and heartily evoke the spirit of this fabled bygone age. Much appreciated by all, the gallery was looted of these beautifully produced books, and we now dig in earnest for more. For the true bounty hunter this rich booty can be acquired for a mere scattering of doubloons. No map required.